Grand Hotel Vung Tau

The ship left Halong Bay in darkness so we did not get the view of the islands that we had had on arrival. Next day provided a day at sea on the way to Phu My an expanding industrial port from where passengers were going to visit either Ho Chi Minh City or the seaside resort of Vung Tau. We spent the day at sea taking the sun (in the shade), learning the quickstep,made some earrings (good enough to wear to dinner), Geoff took part in the individual ...

... tunnel when I coud feel a little bit of fresh air and see daylight. Yesterday I walked over to the War remnants Museum and had a look at what they had to display and must say some of it was very graphic and moving. There was several US tanks and other military style vehicles in the yard, many pictures of people that were affected by the use of agent orange. Quiet happy I did not take the kids as trying to explain alot of what was there would have ...

... hungry. Lyam and Mya slept most of the way. We finally left at 2pm and got back at 4:39 at the passport office and it was closed. Man, this adoption process has been one adventure after another of delays and waiting. Mind you, we only waited 8 months for the whole process. But it is all worth it when we look at Lyam.

... women lead us to a common sitting area. Here they offered us several types of food. Knowing that they were all vegetarian Jen and I did not hesitate. This was one of the most amazing experiences and food I have had thus far. Even though we did not speak each others languages we were able to share and enjoy a wonderful meal. We both were very gracious and taken back by the whole experience. Once we ...

... setant mis dans nos pattes. De plus, nous avons beaucoup de decalage horaire dans le corps,ce qui me fatigue beaucoup. Premiere mesaventure, pas de bagages a notre arrivee. Metons que ce fut la panique et que nous avons probablement vieilli dun an. Avec tous les transfers, ca lair que ca arrive tres souvent. Nous attendons des nouvelles de l areoport. Metons que cette ...

... the end of the war and power was surrendered by the South. The palace has been preserved since the 60s and it looks like something out an Austin Powers movie (the place even had a casino room with velour couches). The tunnels underneath the palace were something of a command center and it was interesting to see the battle planning maps still hanging, the old school radio rooms, and a few holding cells as well. The War Remnants Museum was very ...

... in. We got to see models of tanks used in the war, and traps that they used to use on American soldiers. I felt so strange, walking along the same paths that soldiers from my country used to walk to fight against citizens of the country I am in. I tried to imagine rain pouring down, soaking through my uniform as I hauled guns and ammunition through the forests. It seemed weird that a place that once claimed so many lives is now visited by tourists like me ...

... the next leg of our trip. First impression...WE ARE CRAZY...the most intense traffic we have ever experienced. Mainly due to the 4-5 million motor bikes (scooter etc...) for a population of 9 million. But after a few hours (including 10-15 minutes trying to cross a street) we discovered it is a friendly, somewhat easy city to explore. Still very cheap to tour and eat. 4-Went to Cu Chi tunnels. A Vietcong resistance network of ...

... us come alive with new sounds, new sights, and new smells. Untill it started torrentially down pouring we were sitting outside in a little garden on top of the hotel next to the bar - but within seconds a big gust of win came up and the sky opened up to let water come down in sheets - it was incredible. I thought rain came up fast in Hawai'i but it was one hundred fold here in Vietnam, which we would find out later was not at all uncommon. We moved into the bar which was just ...

... actually be completing the work. Still, interesting stuff. Our last stop of the day, was the best as we ventured out even further into the bush to visit Saigon River, maker of beautiful Asian candle holders. Their factory and office are of a classical Vietnamese indoor/outdoor design, with simple whitewashed walls, antique black ceiling fans and shuttered wooden doors. Peter, the company's director, warmly hosts us in his amazing showroom and proudly shows off ...